The Unpicked RWC XV

As nations across the globe have selected their Rugby World Cup squads over the past few weeks, attention has understandably been on who will be at the tournament.

With just 31 squad members allowed per nation, the unfortunate truth is that a lot of top class players will miss out on rugby’s showpiece event.

As a result, we have compiled what we believe to be the best XV who won’t, barring late call-ups, be taking part in the RWC.

15. Israel Dagg, New Zealand

Dagg was a key member of the New Zealand side which lifted the RWC on home soil in 2011, but following the emergences of Nehe Milner-Skudder and Waisake Naholo on the wings and Ben Smith’s development into perhaps the finest full-back in world rugby, Dagg was seen as surplus to requirements by New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen.

14. Charles Piutau, New Zealand

Another casualty of the remarkable seasons recently turned in by Milner-Skudder and Naholo, Piutau’s versatility makes him an enticing option for a RWC. The form of other players plus Piutau’s decision to leave New Zealand in the near future was clearly enough to see him slip out of Hansen’s squad and it is a testament to the quality the All Blacks have at their disposal; the Aucklander would walk into most other nations’ 31-man squads.

13. Manu Tuilagi, England

Re-wind four years and Tuilagi was the budding superstar of the global game. The outside centre was the spark in an otherwise fairly lacklustre England back line, and aside from some off-field discipline issues, looked to be England’s greatest hope heading towards a home RWC. At his best, Tuilagi is genuinely world class and probably the best player at his position in world rugby, but constant nagging injuries and more off-field issues have seen him fall out of favour with England head coach Stuart Lancaster.

12. Christian Lealiifano, Australia

The Wallabies enjoy the luxury of having a plethora of playmaking options at fly-half and inside centre and Lealiifano was the unlucky player to miss out. Bernard Foley, Quade Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Matt Giteau and Matt Toomua all made the cut, highlighting the wealth Australia have at the position, but few other nations would be able to turn away a player as talented as Lealiifano at the heart of their back line

11. Andrew Trimble, Ireland

Taqele Naiyaravoro certainly gets a mention for this spot but he has neither the Irishman’s international experience, nor his consistency. Trimble’s omission was understandable given the form of Dave Kearney and the valuable skill sets of both Simon Zebo and Tommy Bowe, but that shouldn’t detract from his considerable ability. A natural and instinctive finisher, Trimble will be missed at the RWC by Irish and neutral fans alike.

10. Lima Sopoaga, New Zealand

With Aaron Cruden injured, this spot was a two-horse race between Sopoaga and Danny Cipriani. The Englishman was very unlucky to miss out on RWC selection, especially given the flashes of brilliance he brought in his limited opportunities, but the Kiwi brings just a bit more balance to the critically important role of fly-half. Sopoaga will certainly be in contention for either New Zealand’s 10 or 12 jersey next year, but he could still have brought plenty to the party this year.

9. Nic White, Australia

Over the last 12 months, White has looked for all money like the man Australia would entrust to link their pack and back line at this year’s RWC. The Brumby has been in fine form for club and country but is seen by Michael Cheika as third in the Wallaby pecking order, behind the duo of Nick Phipps and Will Genia. With those two hardly setting the world on fire with their form, White’s decision to set sail for France, before gaining the required experience to be eligible as an overseas selection, surely cost him his place.

1. Matt Mullan, England

Another close one, with South Africa’s Steven Kitshoff a very accomplished loosehead, but Mullan’s experience at international level just sways favour in his direction. Mullan is certainly not regarded as a star of the game, but his work at the set-piece has always been highly-valued by England, not to mention also being responsible for a turnaround in Wasps’ once-failing scrum. Despite being below Joe Marler, Mako Vunipola and Alex Corbisiero in England’s pecking order, there are few teams who wouldn’t be able to find a space for Mullan in their 31-man squads.

2. Dylan Hartley, England

Not much to say here. Hartley is one of the best players at his position but constant discipline issues have cost him a spot in England’s squad. He scrummages well, is accurate at the lineout and contributes in the loose.

3. Vincent Koch, South Africa

Ben Tameifuna and the soon-to-be retired Carl Hayman both deserve honourable mentions. Koch, however, has been a revelation for the Stormers this season and were it not for Jannie du Plessis finding form during The Rugby Championship, could have been on the plane to England this month. Instead, the Springboks have opted for Frans Malherbe and loosehead-turned-tighthead Coenie Oosthuizen as the veteran’s backups, but neither has played at the same level as Koch over the last eight months.

4. James Horwill, Australia

Horwill’s countryman Luke Jones was a strong candidate for this position, as were the English duo of Maro Itoje and Ed Slater, but none of the three have Horwill’s experience. The lock is still bound for England, where he will join up with his new team, Harlequins, but his leadership could yet be missed by the Wallabies.

5. Dave Attwood, England

Attwood was unfortunate to miss out but the form of George Kruis and the lineout ability of Geoff Parling were clearly enough to give them the edge as complimentary locks to Joe Launchbury and Courtney Lawes. The quality and quantity of second rows in English rugby is quite something and Attwood represents the best of those who failed to make the cut.

6. Ardie Savea, New Zealand

The Hurricane may play openside more often than not, but he was also impossible to leave out of this XV on the back of his last 18 months of rugby. Savea should find himself in a battle with Sam Cane post-RWC for New Zealand’s seven jersey and that is a contest which will certainly have people from all over the world watching with interest.

7. Steffon Armitage, England

As with Hartley and Tuilagi, Armitage is another sure-fire selection for England if it were not for variables off of the rugby pitch. The flanker has been in supreme form since his move to Toulon, as illustrated by him beating George Smith, Marcell Coetzee, Heinrich Brüssow and Liam Gill to this spot, but being based abroad makes him an unfortunate selection casualty. It’s definitely a shame not to see Armitage at the RWC and it will have been a hard call for Lancaster to make, but his decision to safeguard the future of English rugby is a wise one.

8. Nathan Hughes, Fiji

Another player who it will be a shame not to see at the RWC, Hughes has turned down the chance to represent Fiji in order to qualify for England after he completes his residency period in 2016. Hughes has quickly developed into one of the most dangerous players in the northern hemisphere since arriving in England and his potent combination of tackle-busting carries and Fijian offloading makes him a nightmare to defend against.